About

He’s worked at Microsoft twice, for a total of 10 years -- because if a mistake is worth making, it’s worth doing again. The first time, he was in charge of Word development back when Word was still fun to use (Word 6 is what happened because he left), and was the chief developer for Creative Writer. The second time, he worked on Office for Mac, including writing the Ribbon that debuted in Mac Office 2011. He has three software patents in word processing technology, but so what?

In the non-Microsoft intervals he wrote the GrowlyBird programs and many others, some of which will be offered here in the future.

He has a lot of other interests, but really -- who cares? (OK, if you insist: he writes novels. See his page on Smashwords.)

Nancy Mason

Nancy has tried almost everything except being an astronaut and a brain surgeon (but the latter is still on her list). That includes professional picture framer, gallery owner, bank teller, urgent care receptionist, bar swamper, secretary, hotel maid, bookkeeper, ski resort ticket seller, hospital admitting clerk, hotel reservation agent, horticultural supervisor for mentally disabled adults, and executive assistant. She even tried programming for a while. Plus, she once lived in a converted school bus in Montana, which is undeniably cool.

She is currently engaged in zoo-keeping, landscape beautification, and home enrichment, and acts as chatelaine and Prime User for GrowlyBird Software.

GrowlyBird, aka Peaches

Peaches is a harlequin macaw who knows over 150 words and isn’t afraid to use them. Some of her favorite phrases are “Don’t eat me,” “Bring me the ball,” “Pickle puss,” “Muchas smooches,” “Peakaboo,” “Too much pepper,” “Achoo!”, “Crabby britches,” and “Grrrrrr.” Oh, yes, she also knows “Grrrowwwly birrrd.” She doesn’t know much about software but she is user-friendly. Sort of. Occasionally. If she’s in a good mood.

Coconut

Coconut, a demure umbrella cockatoo with no attitude problems, is the brains of the family, as you can see here. She’s an excellent dancer, she has a lovely singing voice, and if she didn’t have feathers and wings we’d say she was the exact opposite of Peaches.

And the other mammals…

Actually, all the vertebrates in our family use GrowlyBird software.